Hydraulic governor rapid response unloading and loading device



T. F. CRAMER Feb. 7, 1961 HYDRAULIC GOVERNOR RAPID RESPONSE UNLOADINGAND LOADING DEVICE Filed May 26, 1958 INVENTOR.

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United States Pat ent HYDRAULIC GOVERNOR RAPID RESPONSE UNLOADIN G ANDLOADING DEVICE Thomas F. Cramer, Warren, Mich, assignor to HolleyCarburetor Company, Van Dyke, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed May26, 1958, Ser. No. 737,777

Claims. (Cl. 123-103) The present invention relates to a hydraulicgovernor rapid response unloading and loading device.

In engine speed governors responsive either to engine speed or to roadspeed of the vehicle, it is desirable to provide for positive actuationof the speed control element such for example as the engine throttle, bya positive acting motor and this may be readily accomplished byemploying speed responsive means whose function is to control a valvewhich in turn controls the admission of hydraulic pressure to ahydraulic motor for effecting movement of the throttle. In some casesthe hydraulic fluid is applied to a housing including a movable elementsuch for example as a flexible diaphragm, and the oil in the housingopposes return movement of the diaphragm when it is required to load.This tends to prevent or retard throttle opening movement, thusresulting in poor response. In accordance with the present inventionmeans are provided facilitating flow of oil from the chamber of thehydraulic motor, thus improving response.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providehydraulic means for actuating a speed control member such for example asthe throttle of an internal combustion engine, including a hydraulicmotor, and means associated therewith to improve the response of thesystem to variations in speed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a speedcontrol system for an internal combustion engine, preferably of anautomotive vehicle, which includes means for supplying hydraulic fluidat apressure variable in accordance with speed, either engine speed orroad speed, means responsive solely to variations in pressure of thehydraulic fluid for controlling the admission of an hydraulic fluidunder pressure to a fluid motor, and means responsive to manifold vacuumof the engine for exhausting fluid from the motor to provide rapidresponse during loading.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aspeed responsive engine control system including a fluid motor forregulating engine speed, speed responsive means for applying fluid underpressure to the motor upon an increase in speed above a predeterminedminimum, and means responsive to engine manifold vacuum for controllingan exhaust flow of fluid from the motor.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments of theinvention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the components of theengine control system.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring first to Figure l the internal combustion engine includes amanifold 10 having a carburetor connected thereto which include an inletpassage 12 providedwith a venturi 14 in which is located a primary fuelsupply nozzle 16. Located in the intake passage is a choke valve 18 anddownstream from the venturi 14 is provided the usual manually operablespeed control throttle 20 which is pivoted as indicated at 22 andprovided with an operating arm 24 connected by a link 26 to the usualspeed control device such for example as the accelerator pedal. Theautomatic engine speed gov ernor includes a passage insert portion 30disposed between the carburetor intake passage 12 and the manifold 10and in this insert portion is provided an automatic engine speed controlthrottle 32 which is carried by a shaft 34 having an arm 36 rigidlyconnected there to, the arm being connected to an actuating rod 38extending to a hydraulic motor indicated generally at 4%.

The motor includes a flexible diaphragm 42 forming with a housingportion 44 a pressure chamber 46. The diaphragm 42 hasits centralmovable portion connected to the link 38 and a compression spring 48extends between the diaphragm and a spring seat 50 in the motor. Thespace to the right of the diaphragm 42, as seen in Figure l, is atatmospheric pressure.

Means are provided for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to thechamber 46 of the motor 40 and this means comprises a pump 52. whichsupplies hydraulic fluid through a constant pressure regulating valve 54to an inlet passage 56 provided in a spinner type pump indicatedgenerally at 58. The pump 58 includes a spinner element 60 adapted to beconnected by suitable means such as gear tila to a rotary driver such asgear 61b which may be driven at a speed variable in accordance withengine speed or which may be driven at a speed variable in accordancewith road speed of the vehicle. In any case, the hydraulic fluidentering the passage 56 passes through the radial passages 62 of thespinner into the cylindrical chamber 64 of the pump 58 and establishestherein a pressure which is variable in accordance with the speed ofrotation of the spinner. Hydraulic fluid under the pressure thusestablished in the chamber 64 is transmitted to the chamber 66 of aspeed responsive regulating valve 68 through an external passage orconduit 69. The valve 68 includes a body portion or housing 70 and a cap72 between which is clamped a flexible diaphragm 74, thus forming thechamber 66 between the diaphragm 74 and the cap '72. The space indicatedat '76 below the diaphragm 74 may be vented to atmosphere as indicatedat 78.

The valve 68 includes a passage extending therethrough intercepted by acylindrical valve chamber 82 in which is longitudinally slidable a spoolvalve 84 having a reduced intermediate portion 86. With the parts in theposition shown in Figure 1 it will be noted thatthe reduced portion 86is in registration with the passage 3t and accordingly, a free flow offluid is permitted through the valve. Normally however, the valve ismaintained in an upper closed position by a compression spring 83 theeffectiveness of which may be adjusted by an abutment plug 90 threadedinto a tubular extension 92 of the housing 70 and retained in adjustedposition by a lock nut 94. The spring chamber is vented to theatmosphere as indicated at 89. The hydraulic fluid from the pump 52 asthe pressure is regulated by the valve 54, flows through an externalpassage or conduit 96 to the valve 68 and, when permitted to do so byproper location of the spool valve 84, fluid flows from pump 54 throughthe valve and through an external passage or conduit 98 to the actuatingchamber 46 of the motor 40.

With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1 it will be noted thatthe flexible diaphragm 42 is to the left although the reduced portion 86of the valve is in position to allow a flow of hydraulic fluid underpressure to the chamber 46. This condition may exist because the port100 and thus permits an exhaust flow of hydraulic fluid through anexternal passage or conduit 106, which may be connected to the sumpwhich supplies the pump 52.

The position of the exhaust valve 102 is determined by a flexiblediaphragm 108 the intermediate portion of which is connected by a rod109 to the spool valve 102, the diaphragm being biased to the left asseen in Figure 1- by a compression spring 110 located in a chamber 112provided by a cap 114 which clamps the periphery of the diaphragm to anannular portion of the motor 40. A fluid passage or conduit 116 extendsfrom the interior of the chamber 112 to the interior of the insertportion 30 so that the chamber 112 is at all times subjected to 'thepartial vacuum existing within the manifold of the engine.

The spool valve housing 103 may be connected to the sump through theports 105 and 107 so as to return to the sump any hydraulic fluidescaping across the spool valve 102.

As the engine approaches governed speed the oil pressure in the chamber66 increases due to the increased speed of rotation of the spinner 62.At governed speed pressure within the chamber 66 overcomes the spring 88and permits the flow of hydraulic fluid to the chamber 46 of the motor40. Below governed speed the spool valve 102 is in the position shownpermitting hydraulic fluid to exhaust from the chamber 46 through thepassage 106 back to the sump, crankcase or reservoir. However, whencutoff speed is reached, and the engine is unloading, manifold vacuum inthe chamber 112 causesthe diaphragm 108 to shift the spool valve 102toward a position in which it closes the port 100. This movementdecreases the effective size of the port 100 and allows rapid unloadingof the engine as hydraulic fluid flows into the chamber 46.

When it is required to again load the engine, manifold vacuum isdecreasing and the spring 110 moves the diaphragm 108 to cause movementof the piston 102 to a position in which its reduced portion 104registers as in Figure 1 and will not again be described. In addi tion,the spinner element 60 may be driven through the same means describedfor the embodiment shown in Figure 1 including the gears 61a and 61b.

The arrangement in Figure 2 dilfers primarily in the provision of asomewhat diflerent motor herein indicated at 120 having an actuating rod122 connected to the arm 36 of the governor throttle plate 32.

The motor 120 comprises two casing parts 124 and 126 adapted to clampthe edges of a flexible diaphragm 128 therebetween to divide the motor120 into an actuating chamber 130 and a second chamber 132 which may bevented to atmosphere as indicated at 134. A compression spring 135 isprovided in the chamber 132 acting between the casing part 126 and thecentral portion of the diaphragm 128 to bias the diaphragm in adirection which results in full opening of the automatic throttle plate32.

Associated with the motor 120 is a valve 136 comprising housing portions138 and 140 which clamp between them the edge of a flexible diaphragm142 dividing the interior of the valve into chambers 144 and 146.Located Within the chamber 144 is an adjustable compression spring 148,the adjustment being effected by a reduced spring seat 150. The housingportion 140 of the valve 136 is open from end to end and has a valveseat 152 therein which cooperates with a movable valve element 154connected by a stern 156 to the central portion of the flexiblediaphragm 142. The open end of the housing portion 140 to the rightthereof as seen in Figure 2, connects with an opening 158 in the housingportion 124 of the motor. v I

An external passage or conduit 160 controlled by the spool valve element84 of the speed responsive valve 68 supplies fluid to the chamber whenthe speed of rotation of the spinner 62 is sufficiently high. Exhaust ofthe hydraulic fluid in the chamber 130 is past the valve element 154 andout an exhaust passage 162 which connects to an external passage orconduit 164 leading to the sump, reservoir, or crankcase. Accordingly,when the valve 154 is open pressure within the chamber 130 isinsufficient to overcome the spring and hence the automatic throttleplate 32 remains in open position.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially thesame as thatpreviously described.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description ofthe improved hydraulic governor rapid response unloading and loadingdevice in such full,clear, concise and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of whichis indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An engine speed control system for a vehicle internal combustionengine having an intake manifold and an engine control throttle, saidsystem comprising a fluid motor connected to the throttle, speedresponsive means controlling the application of actuating fluid to saidmotor, and means responsive to manifold vacuum of the engine forcontrolling the effectiveness of the application of fluid pressure tosaid motor.

2. An engine speed control system for a vehicle internal combustionengine having an intake manifold and an engine control throttle, saidsystem comprising a fluid motor connected to the throttle, said motorhaving an expansible actuating chamber, speed responsive meansindependent of engine load controlling the application of actuatingfluid to said chamber, and an exhaust valve responsive to manifoldvacuum of the engine for controlling the exhaust of fluid from saidchamber.

3. An engine speed control system for a vehicle internal combustionengine having an intake manifold and an engine control throttle, saidsystem comprising a fluid motor connected to the throttle, said motorhaving an expansible actuating chamber, a rotary fluid pump, means fordriving said pump at a speed which is dependent on engine speed tosupply hydraulic fluid at a pressure which is dependent on engine speed,valve means responsive to pressure of fluid supplied by said pumpconnecting a source of fluid pressure to said chamber to supplyhydraulic fluid to said chamber, an exhaust valve connected to saidchamber, and means responsive to engine mani fold vacuum connected tosaid exhaust valve to control the same.

4. An engine speed control system for a vehicle internal combustionengine having an intake manifold and an engine control throttle, saidsystem comprising a fluid motor connected to the throttle, said motorhaving an expansible actuating chamber, a rotary fluid pump, means forsupplying hydraulic fluid to said pump at a constant pressure, means fordriving said pump at a speed which is dependent on engine speed tosupply hydraulic fluid at a pressure wihch is dependent on engine speed,valve means responsive to pressure of fluid supplied by said pumpconnecting a source of fluid pressure to said chamber to supplyhydraulic fluid to said chamber, an exhaust valve connected to saidchamber, and means responsive to engine manifold vacuum connected tosaid exhaust valve to control the same.

5. A throttle regulating hydraulic motor for an intrenal combustionengine having a throttle controlled inll manifold, a hydraulic pumpadapted to supply hydraulic fluid at a pressure dependent on pump speed,means for driving said pump at a speed dependent on engine speed, meansincluding a valve responsive to the pressure of fluid delivered by saidpump connecting said motor to a source of actuating pressure, a bypassvalve controlling the application of hydraulic fluid to said motor, andmeans responsive to engine manifold vacuum connected to said bypassvalve to control the same.

6. A throttle regulating hydraulic motor for an internal combustionengine having a throttle controlled inlet manifold, said motor having achamber having a movable wall, speed responsive means independent ofengine load controlling the application of actuating fluid to saidchamber, means connecting said wall to said throttle to close saidthrottle upon expansion of said chamber by the actuating fluid,resilient means opposing expansion of said chamber, an exhaust valve forsaid chamber, and means responsive to engine manifold vacuum connectedto said exhaust valve to control the same.

7. A governor for an internal combustion engine having an intakemanifold and a throttle controlling flow of fuel mixture to saidmanifold, a hydraulic motor having an expansible chamber including amovable wall, means connecting said wall to the throttle to eifectclosing movement of said throttle upon expansion of said chamber, asource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, rotary pump means operated ata speed dependent on engine speed connected to said source andadapted todeliver hydraulic fluid at an increased pressure dependent on enginespeed, means including a supply valve responsive to pump deliverypressure connecting said source and said chamber, resilient meansopposing expansion of said chamber, and an exhaust valve responsive tomanifold vacuum ofthe engine connected to said chamber.

8. A governor for an internal combustion engine having an intakemanifold and a throttle controlling flow of fuel mixture to saidmanifold, a hydraulic motor having an expansible chamber including amovable wall, means connecting said wall to the throttle to effectclosing movement of said throttle upon expansion of said chamber, asource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, ro-

tary pump means operated at a speed dependent on engine speed connectedto said source and adapted to deliver hydraulic fluid at an increasedpressure dependent on engine speed, means including a supply valveresponsive to pump delivery pressure connecting said source and saidchamber, said supply valve comprising resilient means effective to keepsaid supply valve closed at pressures less than that determined by aselected governed speed, resilient means opposing expansion of saidchamher, and an exhaust valve responsive to manifold vacuum of theengine connected to said chamber.

9. A governor for an internal combustion engine having an intakemanifold and a throttle controlling flow of fuel mixture to saidmanifold, a hydraulic motor having an expansible chamber including amovable Wall, means connecting said wall to the throttle to effectclosing movement of said throttle upon expansion of said chamber, asource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, rotary pump means operated ata speed dependent on engine speed connected to said source and adaptedto deliver hydraulic fluid at an increased pressure dependent on enginespeed, means including a supply valve responsive to pump deliverypressure connecting said source and said chamber, said supply valvecomprising resilient means effective to keep said supply valve closed atpressures less than that determined by a selected governed speed,resilient means opposing expansion of said chamber, and an exhaust valveresponsive to manifold vacuum of the engine connected to said chamber,said. exhaust valve including resilient means opposing movement thereofoccasioned by a reduction in engine manifold vacuum and operable toclose said exhaust valve during unloading of said governor and to openquickly upon start of governor loading.

10. An engine speed control system for a vehicle internal combustionengine having an intake manifold and an engine control throttle, saidsystem comprising a fluid motor connected to the throttle, speedresponsive means independent of engine load controlling the applicationof actuating fluid to said motor, and means responsive to manifoldvacuum of the engine for controlling the effectiveness of theapplication of fluid pressure to said motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,505,292 Mallory Apr. 25, 1950 2,566,012 Winkler Aug. 28, 19512,664,867 Hortzell Jan. 5, 1954 2,664,868 Lautzenhiser Jan. 5, 19542,828,725 Hartzell et al. Apr. 1, 1958

